The Young Rajah | Page 6

took an opportunity, as soon as he could do so without making his object too evident, of leading her to the other side among the ladies on deck. The gallant young officer was naturally the subject of conversation, and she heard with inward satisfaction his praises repeated by all around her. Much as Colonel Ross liked Reginald, he could not help regretting that Violet had ever met him. He could not be blind to his personal appearance and manners, but he naturally disliked the thought of his daughter marrying a man of whose birth and fortune he knew nothing; and he resolved to break off all connection with the young stranger as soon as they landed at Calcutta. Reginald, he supposed, was not likely to remain long in that city, and would be either again going to sea, or proceeding up the country; at least he fancied, from some remarks the young man let drop, such would be the case. Violet, too, was not likely to remain long without receiving an eligible offer, which he trusted she would have the sense to accept--although he was not the man to force her to do so against her inclination.
During the remainder of the voyage Reginald enjoyed frequent opportunities of conversing with Violet, though, by the colonel's management, they were but seldom left alone. They perfectly understood each other, however; and the day before the ship was off the Sunderbunds, Reginald told Violet that he loved her better than life; and although he confessed there was a mystery about his birth, he said he hoped ere long to clear it up, and to be in a position to offer her his hand.
"If I succeed, as I have every reason to hope I may, your father will have no cause to refuse me on account of my birth and fortune. More I may not tell you; but you will confide in my honour, dearest Violet: I know you will!" He took her hand, which she did not withdraw.
"I trust you implicitly. I know my kind father has a sincere regard for you, and he is only at present unwilling to sanction our engagement because he believes that it would not conduce to my happiness," she answered.
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The following day the Glamorgan Castle dropped her anchor in the Hooghly. Shortly afterwards a man-of-war steamer hove in sight, and brought-to at a short distance from the ship. A boat from her came alongside, when Reginald came up to Colonel and Miss Ross.
"I must bid you farewell; but I hope that I may be allowed to call on you in Calcutta," he said with tolerable calmness.
The colonel hesitated in his reply.
"I cannot say where my duty will call me; but you may be assured, Mr Hamerton, that I shall not forget you," he at length answered evasively. "Farewell! I see your attendant at the gangway waiting for you."
Violet, pained at her father's manner, said but little. Reginald, however, understood her look and manner; and paying a hurried adieu to the rest of the passengers, he went towards the gangway, passing, as he did so, Captain Hawkesford, who cast at him a supercilious and angry glance, without returning his salute. Followed by Dick Thuddichum, he descended to the boat, which pulled towards the steamer.
Violet watched the vessel as she glided up the river, and observed Reginald, after shaking hands with the officers, standing on the paddle-box, with his eyes fixed on the Glamorgan Castle. She little thought at the time how long it would be before they would again meet!
CHAPTER TWO.
REGINALD MEETS BURNETT--A BITTER DISAPPOINTMENT--VOYAGE UP THE GANGES-- TIGER-SHOOTING AT NIGHT--TIGER ANECDOTES--TIGER-SHOOTING FROM THE BACK OF AN ELEPHANT--REGINALD SAVES FAITHFUL FROM A CROCODILE--HER GRATITUDE--JOURNEY TO ALLAHAPOOR--RECEPTION BY THE RAJAH--THE BEAUTIFUL NUNA--A BANQUET, AND BARBARIC ENTERTAINMENTS--COCHUT KHAN'S JEALOUSY-- FAITHFUL WATCHES OVER REGINALD.
Reginald having ascertained where Colonel and Miss Ross were living, was making his way through the broad streets of the "city of palaces," intending to pay his respects to them, when he met a military-looking man in an undress suit, who, regarding him earnestly, advanced towards him with his hand extended.
"My dear boy, I am delighted to see you!" exclaimed the stranger. "Have you been successful? I long to hear."
"I am in a fair way, I trust, of succeeding, although there may be not a few difficulties in my path," answered Reginald. "I am truly thankful, however, to find you here, as I thought that you were far away--either in Pegu or at Delhi. Are you at liberty, my dear Burnett, or can you get leave of absence? If you could accompany me, you would be of the greatest possible assistance."
"Most fortunately, I obtained leave of absence for six months, only yesterday, and was contemplating making a shooting excursion with Knox and Jones; but they must excuse me, and